LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers robs Freddy Galvis #13 of the San Diego Padres of a hit with a diving catch to end the first inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Dodgers Enrique Hernandez hits a solo home run in the third inning against the San Diego Padres, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)

Los Angeles Dodgers Enrique Hernandez rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the San Diego Padres, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)

Los Angeles Dodgers Enrique Hernandez, left, is congratulated by Yasiel Puig after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the San Diego Padres, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling grimaces after giving up a two-run home run in the fourth inning to the San Diego Padres’ Hunter Renfroe, left, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)

San Diego Padres’ Hunter Renfroe, right, celebrates with Austin Hedges after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling hangs his head as he is pulled in the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker)

San Diego Padres’ Hunter Renfroe, right, celebrates with Austin Hedges after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Eric Lauer #46 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Ross Stripling #68 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 21, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Francisco Mejia #27 of the San Diego Padres looks on as Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers crosses the plate after hitting a one run home run the third inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Enrique Hernandez #14 is greeted by Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a one run home run the third inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Enrique Hernandez #14 is greeted by Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a one run home run the third inning of the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Hunter Renfroe #10 of the San Diego Padres hits a two run home run in the fourth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Hunter Renfroe #10 gets a chest bump from Franmil Reyes #32 of the San Diego Padres after crossing the plate after hitting a two run home run in the fourth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Manager Dave Roberts #30 waits on the mound with Justin Turner #10 Yasmani Grandal #9 and David Freese #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during a pitching change in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Brian Dozier #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he flips his bat after flying out in the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Fans look on as Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reaches into foul territory to catch a ball hit by Wil Myers #4 of the San Diego Padres for an out in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Eric Lauer reaches to attempt to backhand a line drive hit for a double by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling delivers to a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Eric Lauer works to a Los Angeles Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

San Diego Padres third baseman Wil Myers throws out Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado after fielding a ground ball during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado, left, catches San Diego Padres Wil Myers in a rundown between first and second on a steal-attempt during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling, left, talks to himself while San Diego Padres’ Franmil Reyes rounds third base after Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez, front, steps on home plate next to San Diego Padres catcher Francisco Mejia after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez, left, celebrates with Justin Turner after hitting a solo home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

San Diego Padres’ Wil Myers watches his two-run double, which scored Freddy Galvis and Manuel Margot during the ninth inning of Friday’s game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

San Diego Padres’ Freddy Galvis, makes a gesture upon touching home plate after hitting a solo home run, next to Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Kirby Yates can’t field a ground ball hit for a single by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

LOS ANGELES — Maybe it’s just a pause to take a deep breath – you know, like right before you jump in a pool.

The Dodgers’ march to clinch their sixth consecutive division title developed a familiar hitch in it Friday night as the San Diego Padres handed them a 5-3 defeat.

Over the past three weeks, the Dodgers have gone 11-3 against fellow playoff contenders in the Rockies, Cardinals and Diamondbacks – but 2-5 in what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called “trap series” against the Mets, Reds and Padres.

“That’s a tough one to figure out,” Roberts said Friday. “Coming off this last series (a three-game sweep of the Rockies), I thought we were playing well, having good at-bats. Coming into tonight’s game, I thought we were ready to go. It just didn’t work out where we scored more runs than they did. But I don’t think it was a letdown situation.”

The loss was definitely a slowdown situation. It was only the Dodgers’ second in their past nine games but it allowed the Colorado Rockies to move back within 1½ games of the National League West lead by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks (the Dodgers’ next opponent) and stalled the Dodgers’ magic number to clinch at eight.

At the same time, the Atlanta Braves won, moving closer to clinching the NL East – and moving a game ahead of the Dodgers for home-field advantage in a potential best-of-5 NL Division Series matchup.

“It’s baseball,” Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said. “They’re over there trying to win games too.”

Only one team in the National League (the Miami Marlins) has managed to do that less often than the 62-92 Padres this season.

“Can’t take anyone for granted. Those are big leaguers over there. They’re here for a reason,” Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling said. “Obviously coming off a huge sweep of the Rockies, we used a lot of energy, that kind of stuff. But I feel like we showed up ready to play. They just beat us today.

“Just can’t get too high or too low. Just go out and play Dodger baseball every day, no matter who the opponent is.”

The playoff-level energy that characterized Dodger Stadium during the heroics-heavy sweep of the Rockies was tamped down Friday night as the Dodgers managed only four hits through the first seven innings.

Their only run off Padres starter Eric Lauer came in the third inning when Kike’ Hernandez hit a liner into the left-field pavilion. It was the Dodgers’ 219th home run of the season (two short of matching the franchise record set last season).

There wasn’t much else to work with against Lauer who is 6-7 in his rookie season – but 3-0 with a 0.92 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers.

“He’s brought his best against us,” Roberts said. “Fastball, cutter in and stealing strikes with the curveball. A couple guys had some good swings off him but collectively we just can’t figure him out.”

The Dodgers put two runners on with two outs in the fifth against Lauer but Manny Machado struck out. They did it again in the seventh against the Padres bullpen and a wild pitch even moved them up. But Turner flew out to left.Finally, in the eighth inning, Joc Pederson doubled with one out and scored on a two-out single by Yasiel Puig.

That inning ended with the Dodgers again stranding two runners when Cody Bellinger struck out. After going 25 for 78 (.321) with runners in scoring position over their previous 10 games, the Dodgers were 2 for 9 against the Padres and stranded 10 runners.

The Padres didn’t manage many base runners at all through the first seven innings. But two of their four hits in that time were home runs by Hunter Renfroe and Freddy Galvis. A two-run double by Wil Myers in the ninth put the game away for the Padres.

If Stripling’s move back into the rotation (bumping Alex Wood to the bullpen) is an audition for a role in a potential playoff series, it has not gone well. An All-Star based on the way he rescued the Dodgers’ rotation in the first half, Stripling has yet to recapture that form.

The right-hander has made three starts now since returning from a lower back injury and rejoining the Dodgers’ rotation. He has been done after 3-1/3 innings each time. Friday night, he allowed five of the last six batters he faced to reach base – a single by Wil Myers in the third (he was picked off first) and another by Franmil Reyes to start the fourth, Renfroe’s homer two batters later and back-to-back 10-pitch at-bats that ended in walks.

Over 10 innings in these three starts, Stripling has allowed six runs on 10 hits, walked three and struck out 13.

“The stuff is good when he comes out,” Roberts said. “I think he’s built up. It’s just making a couple pitches that he needs to make to wipe guys out. But to come in and expect after three starts or two starts that he’s going to be locked in, that’s probably a little unfair.”

Bill Plunkett has covered everything from rodeo to Super Bowls to boxing (yeah, I was there the night Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield's ear off) during a career that started far too long ago to mention and eventually brought him to the OC some time last century (1999 actually). He has been covering Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register since 2003, spending time on both the Angels and Dodgers beats.

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